Expenses also rose. Fuel costs jumped to $412 million, compared to $258 million a year ago.

Norfolk Southern is the latest of the major rails to report significant earnings growth. CSX Corp. on July 19 said second-quarter earnings rose 22 percent as the railroad made up for slow volume growth by charging higher prices. And Union Pacific last week recorded a 10 percent jump in second-quarter profit. Revenue increased 16 percent to $4.86 billion.

Economists view the performance of railroads as one of the indicators of the nation's economic health, since railroads transport a variety of things from businesses across the country. Recent signs that the manufacturing sector is slowly improving are part of that picture. Earlier this month the Institute for Supply Management said the manufacturing sector expanded in June for the 23rd consecutive month. And carmakers reported higher sales in June as well.

Norfolk Southern, which operates in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves major container ports in the eastern U.S.

Norfolk Southern released earnings after the markets closed. Its stock fell 90 cents to close at $75.55 in the regular session. It rose $1.05 in after-hours trading.